The PBS Appalachia Team
Blue Ridge PBS is creating a first-of-its-kind, all-digital television station dedicated to serving Southwest Virginia. PBS Appalachia | Va will serve 13 counties in one of the only areas of the country not currently served by a PBS station. We will tell the stories of our communities, celebrate our heritage, highlight our people, and look forward to our region’s growth; all through the lens of industry-leading equipment and the eye of award winning producers.
Julie Newman
Vice President and General Manager
Julie Newman is Vice President and General Manager of the new
station. She has earned four Regional Emmy Awards and has 25
years of broadcast and public television experience; most recently as
News Anchor for News 5 WCYB in Bristol, Virginia.
Jacob Dellinger
Creative Services/Executive Producer
Jacob, a three-time Emmy award-winning producer and recipient of the 2021 Public Media Award, has always possessed a deep love for anything audio-visual. Encouraged by his father during his childhood, Jacob, along with his brother Hogan, pursued their shared passion for filmmaking. Their dedication was evident as, by the age of 12, they had diligently saved enough money from mowing lawns to purchase their very own camcorder, which they utilized religiously.
Josh Deel
Senior Producer
Born in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and raised in central Appalachia, Joshua Deel (Josh) has been a son of the mountains since his youth. He grew up hearing the Americana folktales of Daniel Boone, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and John Henry. With an insatiable sense of adventure burning within, his eyes have been set on the horizon from his earliest memories. Josh wanted to be Indiana Jones when he grew up so he could explore, have an adventure, and get the girl!
Sara Muncy
Producer/Editor
Sara Muncy is a Producer and Editor with PBS Appalachia, bringing a wealth of experience in photography,
videography, writing, storytelling, graphic design, and marketing.
Before joining our team, Sara began her professional creative journey through co-ownership of a small marketing firm in North Carolina that she operates alongside her husband, Cliff. Through that work, she develops and maintains brand identities that help small business owners and organizations tell their story; stories that serve and connect with the local community.
Shannon Naff
Corporate Support Executive and Grants Administrator
Shannon is a Marion Virginia native and a Radford University graduate. He is happy to be back home in Southwest Virginia serving the area he loves with PBS Appalachia Virginia in the role of Corporate Support Executive and Grants Administrator.
Shannon brings over 30 years of media experience to the PBS Appalachia Virginia team. He has worked throughout the Southeast in the newspaper, radio, television, and digital industries.
Robert Forsyth
Director of Digital Media
Robert Forsyth has more than 25 years of experience in broadcast television, where he has held every conceivable position, from studio camera to Newscast Director to Director of Engineering. He has also built three television broadcast facilities across the country and now leads PBS Appalachia's digital media efforts, including developing custom OTT apps and virtualizing broadcast television automation.
His goal is to ensure that you have the best PBS content available, on any device you choose.
William Anderson
President and CEO
Will Anderson’s dedication to public television spans 3 decades. In his role as President and CEO of Blue Ridge Public Television, Inc. he oversees both Blue Ridge PBS, based in Roanoke, VA, as well as PBS Appalachia, based in Bristol, VA. Combined, these stations account for 42% of the geographic Commonwealth. He says, “As the region's storyteller, it’s our job to preserve the history and culture of our communities for generations to come. We have a team of award-winning local producers who are devoted to regional issues and interests. Our programming not only reflects the region we serve, but provides informational, educational and cultural content.”
